Island



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet,1. I

L. HOLLINGWORTH. MACHINE FOR GUIDING THE EDGES 0F WEB FABRICS.

F Paten t ed Mar. 31,1891.

FIE E4 FIG-E. WITNESSES.

3 Sheets-Sheet. 2.

(No Model.)

L. HOLLINGWORTH. MACHINE FOR GUIDING THE BDGES 0F WEB FABRICS.

No. 449,623. Patented Mar. 31, 1891.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

L. HOLLINGWORTH. MACHINE FOR GUIDING THE EDGES 01? WEB FABRICS.

No. 449,623. Patented Mar. 31,1891..

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LoUIS HoLLINewoRTH, OF PROVIDENCE, RHoDE ISLAND, ASSIC CR, BY

DIRECT AND MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BENJAMIN F. TILLINGIIAST, CHARLES R. EARLE, AND AMos w. C. A NOLD, ALL OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR GUIDING THE EDGES OF WEB FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 449,623, dated March 31, 1891.

Application filed March 27, 1890. Serial No- 345,544:- (No model.)

T coZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS HoLLINGwoRTI-I, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Guiding the Edges of WVeb Fabrics; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

In machines employed in the processes of treating continuous webs of fabrics-as, forexample, in tentering, calendering, drying, edge-trimming, and cloth-finishingit is very desirable and essential that the edges of such fabrics be guided in a uniformly true direction, even though the fabric itself have uneven or zigzag edges.

Attempts have been made to feed the fabric to machines of the class just referred to so that during its passage any variation of the edges of the fabric from a true line will be corrected; but so far as I am aware such attempts have been attended with indiiferent results, one reason being that the devices or machines employed for the purpose were positively driven or operated independently of the goods passing through them-that is, the kind or quality of the fabric itself had no control over the action of the mechanism, so that thick and thin goods, whether fine or coarse,

of fabrics, the device at the same time being entirely automatic in its actionthat is, the

, device is operated and controlled simply by the passage of the fabric itself.

My invention consists, essentially, in the combination of a temple revolving freely on an arbor or shaft, which latter at the same time may be axially vibrating, a double-acting rack actuated by mounted radially-movin g revolving dogs for vibrating the arbor to and fro, and a counterweighted lever connected with cloth-actuated governors for controlling the movement of said lever, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the appended three sheets of drawings, illustrating my improved machine for guiding the edges of traveling fabrics, Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents a plan view thereof when the fabric is traveling properly or normallythat is, the edge of the cloth is so guided that it passes along a true line. I would state that practically two of the machines are employed, one being at each edge of the fabric and both working simultaneously. The one' at the right, say, controls the corresponding side of the fabric up to the center of the web, while the other machine, the one shown, acts similarly upon the left side of the web. Fig.

2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the machine, taken on linea: mof Fig. 1. Fig.

2% is a plan view of the outer portion of the delivery or feed roll, &c. Fig. 3 is a partial transverse sectional view taken through the delivery-roll or on line I; 0, Fig. 1'. Fig. 4. is a front elevation of the inner face of a portion of the counterweighted lever for controlling the radial movement of the dogs. Fig.

5 shows the .outer end of the delivery-roll with the lever removed, and showing the dogs in the normal position. Fig. 6 shows the same with the dogs removed. The relation of the several parts in the foregoing figures correspond with that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7, Sheet 2, is a plan view of the machine, showing the relation of the parts \Vhen'the edge of the fabric'is too far at the left or on the outer governor. In this position the dogs, &c., are acting to turn the temple-arbor sufficiently in a reverse direction so as to correct the lato eral movement of the fabric and cause it to assume the normal position shown in Fig. 1. Fig.6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line .2 z of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 represents the machine as viewed from the front or delivery 5 end. Fig. 9% shows a tension-regulating device for the temple. Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the delivery-roll, taken on line was of Fig. 9, showing the relation of the dogs, rack, and lever to each other, corre- 1o sponding with the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 11, Sheet 3, is a plan view of the machine, showing the relation of the parts when the traveling edge of the fabric is too far to the right or in ward. Vhen in this position, the weighted lever acts to carry the rack ahead, thereby imparting a corresponding angular advance movement to the temple to correct the lateral movement of the fabric and cause it to again assume the normal position. Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on line o of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 represents the machine as viewed from the rear or cloth-entering end. Fig. 14: is a transverse sectional view of the delivery-roll, showing the relation of the dogs, rack, &c., corresponding with the position shown in Figs. 11 and 12; and Fig. 15 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the inner end portion of the temple-roll.

The following is a more detailed description of my improved machine for guiding the edges of fabrics and the manner of its operation.

A, referring to the drawings, designates the device as a whole ready for use.

(L indicates the frame or bed in which the several parts are mounted. The machine is made in pairs, right and left, and which are adapted to be secured to a suitable base, so as to simultaneously receive both edges of a fabric 13. The frame is provided with two vertical sides, the outer one a at the left having pivoted thereto, at 0 an extension, cwhich is bent transversely of the machine and terminates in arms 0 in which are secured horizontal rods u, of wire, which serve to assist in guiding the fabric in its passage through the machine. These guides also serve to a certain extent to impart tension to the fabric and keep it in contact with the rolls, &c.

At the back end of the machine, where the cloth enters, a temple is mounted. The tem ple as drawn consists of an arbor or cylinder 1%, provided with a series of parallel inclined peripheral grooves, in which are fitted spurcarrying rings the spurs or pins of which extend slightly above the arbors surface. To the outer end of the temple-arbor is secured a gear-wheel or toothed segment 7', the whole being mounted on centers 0 Practically the entire axial movement of the arbor does not exceed ninety degrees, although the rings t themselves at the same time revolve freely by reason of the cloth passing over them.

At or near the front end of the machine is mounted a draft or feed roll I), this roll being substantially parallel with the axis of the temple and being covered with card-clothing or other suitable material adapted to engage the cloth without slipping. This roll is also preferably mounted on centers 0 substantially in the same manner as the temple. The face of the outer end portion 11 of the feedroll has two grooves cl crossing each other at right angles. (See Figs. 5, 6, &c.) Into these grooves or slots four dogs (Z are fitted to slide to and fro in a radial direction while the roll is in motion. This end or head I)" is secured to the roll by screws 3. The outer face of each dog, which is flush with that of the said end portion, is provided with 'a short projecting pin (P. The peripheral surface of the dogs is beveled,so as to engage ratchet-teeth formed on a mounted rack m, soon to be described. The head I)" of the roll I) is provided with a projecting circular flange 0. (See Figs. and 3.) This flange serves as a guide or guard in preventing the lint, &c., from possibly running onto the bar on. To the frame a, at Z is pivoted a counterweighted three-arm lever l, which lever is connected by an adjustably-mounted link 0' to governors n n. The lower or free end of the middle arm of the lever Z is provided with an elongated opening or slot 0. Through this opening a pin or bolt 0 is passed, which also passes through the adjacent end of the link 0'. By means of this arrangement a slight adjustment of the governors may be effected by first loosening the bolt 0 and moving it, together with the link 0, up or down in the slot 0 until the desired position is attained, after which the bolt is retightened. One end 1 of the lever is enlarged and provided with a central opening 11 Figs. 3 and t, through which the roll-shaft bfreely passes. The lever is further provided with an annular groove (1 adapted to receive the pins (1 of the dogs. Now when the several parts are in the normal working position the pins travel in the groove in a manner concentric with the feed-roll, the outer ends of the dogs being substantially flush with the rolls surface, as shown in Sheet 1 of the drawings. A loose collar 0 backed by a pin 0", passing through the shaft b at its outer end, (see Figs. 2-3 and 3,) serves to maintain the head of the leverl in position, yet at the same time not preventing it from moving up and down or vibrating within its limits.

m indicates a U-shaped bar or rack having at its rearward end an extension provided on its under side with teeth 7', engaging teeth of the temple adjusting wheel 9', before described. This rack is supported and guided by notched pins g, secured to the vertical side a of the frame. The inner faces of the front or U-shaped end of the rack is provided with reversely-arranged ratchet-teeth, which just clear the head of the revolving feed-roll. These teeth are located so as to engage the outer ends of the dogs (Z when the latter are projected beyond the roll by the vibration of the lever Z. Obviously, when the end of the lever is carried upward the dogs are forced to successively project from the upper side, thereby engaging the corresponding portion of the rack, a reverse or down ward movement of the end of the lever below the central position causing the dogs to protrude from the under side of the roll. From this it will be seen that when the dogs extend through the upper side of the feed-roll and engage the rack the latter will be carried ahead a distance limited only by the extent of the toothed portion, (see Sheet 3 of the drawings,) whereas a downward movement of the head 1' of the lever forces the dogs through the under side of the roll, thereby engaging the corresponding teeth of the rack and moving it rearwardly to its limit or until corrected by a change in the levers movement. (See Sheet 2 of the drawings.) Accordingly the movement of the rack is both irregular and intermittent, its action being entirely dependent upon the governors (about to be described) connected by means of the link with the lever.

Adjacent to the forward side of the temple is mounted a stationary table e, having a smooth curved face or top over which the fabric passes. The outer end of the table is provided with two lateral stops e. Between these stops inner and outer governors n a are arranged to travel, these governors, which are quite narrow, being loosely pivoted at 1) to the frame. They each have serrated curved faces adapted to engage the under side of the fabric, the radius of said faces being substantially the same as that of the table (2. The outer governor n is jointed at 0 to the link 0. To the upper portion of this governor is secured a short transverse pin 4), which extends through a slotted opening 1), formed in the inner. governor n.

The governors operate as follows: When there is no engagement of the fabric with them, the counter-weight w depresses the corresponding end of the lever Z to its limit, thereby forcing both governors rearwardly against the back-stop 6', (see Figs. 11 and 12,) the pin 1 then being at'the forward end of the slot '0' of the inner governor. In thisposition and relation of the parts the rear or enlarged end of the lever Z will be vibrated upward, thereby causing the dogs d in revolving to protrude through the upper side of the feed-roll and engage the corresponding teeth of the rack, thus forcing the latter ahead to its limit (see Fig. 14) and producing an angular advance of the temple-arbor t, which latter for the time being, as a result of such' stop 6, and also at the same time causing the rear end of the slot '0' to overtake the pin 1:, and thus force the other governor n ahead a short distance, the slot 1) being shorter than the distance traveled by the governor n, thereby, through the medium of the link 0, vi-

brating the lever Z downwardly to its central or normal position and withdrawing the dogs from the teeth of the rack m, as shown in Sheet 1 of the drawings, the upper portion of v the temple-rolls then revolving substantially forward stop, thus depressing the head of the lever Z below .the central line and projecting the dogs into engagement with the lower series of rack-teeth, (see Fig.'10,) thereby moving the rack rearwardly and causing the temple-arbor to vibrate in a reverse direction to that of the spur-rolls 2%, thus changing the relative angularity of the temple. As a result of this movement, the fabric will automatically be directed toward the right; but as soon as it passes from the outer governor the counterweight will vibrate said governor back to the normal position, (shown in Figs. 1 and 2,) at the same time returning the dogs into the feed-roll.

The rack on, together with the intergeared temple-arbor t, is provided with a friction device whose tension exceeds the friction of the traveling fabric and temple-rolls.

In Fig. 9%, &c., is represented a holder or guide to, secured to the frame a This guide is provided with downwardly-extending sides, one of which is lined with leather 20 and the other is provided with a leather-lined spring 10 having a tension-regulating screw 8 Between these sides the rack is guided in its toand-fro movement. Were it not for adevice ofthis character the position of the templearbor would not be properly maintained after the dogs are withdrawn from engagement with the rack, because otherwise the fabric would be continually changing the relation of the parts.

To the forward end of the machine is located a guide f, consisting of two plates, between which the edge (selvage) of the fabric passes after leaving the delivery or feed roll 1). The upper plate of this guide is hinged at f to the frame. This guide serves to prevent the edge of the fabric from rolling or curling up, thereby insuring a better engagement of the fabric with the feed-roll and the cloth-finishing machine or other machines which receive the fabric after it leaves my improved machine for guiding the edges of the fabric.

It indicates a spring secured to the frame of the machine, the same extending transversely below the rack m and over the governors. The free end of the spring is slightly upturned (see Fig. 13) and is in proximity to the teeth orcorrugated surface of the governors. This spring is useful, in that it serves to insure contact of the fabric with the governors whenever the cloth is diverted to them. The spring also serves to prevent the fabric from crimping, as well as to prevent it from rising from the table, 850., upon swinging back the guides a. In some cases when heavy goods are passed through the machine I find it desirable to raise the guides u, and also the top plate of the forward guidef.

Another advantage of the employment of hinged guides is that the fabric is introduced more readily-that is, the edge portion of the fabric is first laid upon the rolls of the ma chine, after which the guides are swung back from the position shown in Fig. 9 to the normal or horizontal position.

I would state that I do not claim a clothguiding machine provided with a pivotallymounted guide roller or temple operating at a substantially uniform rate of motion by a belt or other positive mechanism, as such machines have been made and used. A serious disadvantage to cloth-guiding machines thus driven is that it is practically impossible to operate them successfully in conjunctionwith tentering-machines.

Another reason why such former clothguiding machines failed to work properly was that the speed or ratio of vibration of the temple was constant and entirely independent of the quality and thickness or weight of the fabric passing through it.

My improved cloth-guiding machine is well adapted to be attached directly to a tentering-machine and reciprocate with it, the cloth passing through it and the guiding device having the same rate of speed. At the same time, however, the guiding-machine is autoi matically controlled by the passage of the fabric itself, thereby correcting any deviation of the fabric from a true or normal line.

My imp rovementis especially advantageous and new, in that the relative angularity or inclination of the contact portion of the clothdriven revolving temple-rolls t to the adjacent portion of the under side of the travelin g fabric is automatically corrected and controlled by mechanism actuated by the fabric itself duriug its passage through the machine.

I claim 1. A cloth-guiding machine automatically actuated and controlled by the fabric passing through it, consisting, substantially, of a dogcarrying feed-roll, a frictionally-resisted temple having a series of loosely-mounted narrow inclined spur-carrying wheels, a rack adapted to simultaneously engage said temple and dogs to change the relative inclination of'the spur-wheels to the fabric, and governers controlling the radial movement of said dogs and their engagement with the rack, all constructed and arranged whereby any lateral variation of the traveling fabric from a true or normal line is automatically corrected.

2. An automatically-operating cloth-guidin g machine havinga normally-stationary temple-carrying arbor mounted horizontally, its axis being parallel with the cloth transversely, in combination with a cloth-driven feed-roll carrying a series of dogs adapted to engage a rack, mounted governors connected with and controlling the longitudinal movemen t of said dogs, and a double-acting rack arranged to engage the dogs and also arranged to engage with and actuate the temple-arbor in an axial direction, thereby changing the relation of the temple tothe traveling cloth and correctin g any lateral variation of the latter from its true or normal line.

3. A cloth-guiding machine provided with a temple having its arbor fitted with a series of loosely-turning spur-carrying rings mountedto revolve at an inclined plane or angle to the axis of the normally-stationary arbor, which latter is mounted parallel with the cloth transversely, in combination with a cloth-driven feed-roll and dogs, cloth-actuated governors connected with said dogs, and a double-acting rack or rod, as an, engaging the temple-arbor and also adapted to engage said dogs, substantially as hereinbefore described, and for the purpose set forth.

4. A cloth-guiding machine having a frictionally-resisted temple automatically operated and controlled by the passage of cloth through the machine and having normallystationary transversely-arranged guides u secured to a frame jointed to the outer portion of the machine, whereby the guides may be raised so as to readily introduce and remove the cloth, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

5. The combination of a mounted frictionally-resisted temple having spur -carrying rolls arranged to en gage and divert the cloth, a mounted rack engaging the temple, a roughened feed-roll over which thefabric passes, provided with radially-mounted dogs, a counterweighted lever having said dogs connected therewith, and governors located between the temple and feed-roll, connected with the said lever, all constructed and arranged whereby any variation of the traveling fabric from a true line is automatically corrected, substantially as hereinbefore described.

6. In combination, a suitably-mounted normally-stationary frictionally-resisted arbor having inclined freely-revolving spur-carrying wheels mounted thereon, a roughened surface feed-roll having dogs mounted therein to travel transversely, independently-mounted governors having roughened surfaces adapted to engage the under side of fabrics, a counterweighted lever connected with said governors and dogs, a mounted toothed rack or bar, as m, arranged to connect with the dogs, a toothed wheel secured to the temple-arbor and having the said rack intergearing therewith, whereby the traveling fabric is enabled to produce an intermittent movement of the rack to and fro in either direction, and atable or stationary rest, and guides adapted to press against the fabric, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

7. A cloth-guiding machine having a normally-stationary temple-arbor mounted transversely of and below the cloth and having said arbor provided with a series of loosely mounted roughened or spur-carrying wheels arranged to engage the fabric, the axes of rotation of said Wheels being at an angle with In testimony whereof I have affixed my sigthe arbors axis, a double-acting rack or rod nature in presence of two witnesses. engaging the temple-arbor, a, clothdriven feed-roll provided with dogs adapted to en- LOUIS HOLLINGWORTH' 5 gage and operate the rack, and cloth-actuated Witnesses:

governors connected with and controlling the CHARLES HANNIGAN,

movement of said. dogs.

GEO. H. REMINGTON. 

